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| Mon Jul 30, 2007 |
Posted by : Douglas Morris at 07/30/2007 04:52:25 |
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| Air Travel Etiquette |
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© 2007 Douglas E Morris
Soaring above the clouds, air travel can be relaxing as well as exciting. However, when fellow travelers are not aware of the unwritten rules of in-flight decorum, trips can become less than pleasant.
Just as in golf, where tacit rules exist — such as don’t talk when someone is hitting, or don’t stand in someone’s putting line — which allow the game to be played without rancor, the same is true with flying. Frequent traveler Brian F. McArthur, puts it succinctly when he says, “In the air, more so than at any other time, people need to be respectful of each other, and aware of what they are doing and how it impacts those around them.”
He and many other regular travelers are well versed in the unwritten rules of airplane etiquette. However, those who are not so cognizant of proper in-flight behavior can make flying less than enjoyable for those around them. As a result, offered below is a refresher course for proper etiquette onboard an airplane.
Moving About
Space is limited on an airplane. Keep in mind that everything has the potential to impact fellow passengers. The key to satisfying air travel is learning to adapt to the situation we are in, rather than expecting the situation to adapt to us.
This adaptation begins immediately when we board the aircraft and begin filtering down the aisle. Many of us do not realize that shoulder bags, if left unattended, stick out to the side and bump into each person already seated on the aisle as we walk to our seats.
Next, learn to traverse the aisle, even with the airplane in flight, without using headrests for support, unless as a last resort. We may not realize it, but every time we place our hands on a seat as we walk down the aisle, we press the seat down a few millimeters. Once we let go, someone’s head gets bounced off the headrest.
Finally, don’t just barrel down the aisle expecting space to be available. Peoples’ shoulders, elbows, feet and knees may be extending out into the aisle. Be respectful and move sideways in some spots so as not to inadvertently bump into someone.
Different Seats
There are essentially three different types of seats on an airplane — window, middle and aisle — and each comes with a different set of unwritten rules. However, the guideline that is shared by all is: Do not use the armrests. The armrests are more there to separate the space between the seats than to be used. If you are taller than 5’ 9” and place even the tiniest part of your elbow on the edge of the armrest, it is almost guaranteed that your shoulder or arm will then extend into the seat space next to you.
If you are in a window seat, lean towards the window and against the body of the plane. If you lean the other way, you will encroach on the space for the person in the middle seat, who will then lean towards the aisle seat, and the person sitting there will then be forced to lean into the aisle.
Middle seats are the most challenging. First let’s dispel the myth that because you are seated in the middle you have the right to monopolize the armrests. As mentioned earlier, the armrests are guides separating seat space. Learn to sit with your elbows inside the armrests, not on them.
If you are in a middle seat, unfortunately if you lean to either side, you encroach on someone’s space. So sit up straight. If you are a large person please book your flight well in advance and get a window or aisle seat so that you will not be put in the middle. However, if planning is not your strong suit, and if you are a large person in a middle seat, be especially cognizant of what you are doing. Otherwise not only will you be miserable during your flight, but you will make your seatmates uncomfortable as well.
When in an aisle seat, lean slightly towards the aisle. If you are reading, hold your book in the hand opposite the middle seat so the book and its pages to do not encroach on the person next to you.
If you bring a newspaper or magazine on board, learn the folding techniques used by subways commuters the world over. If you do not fold your newspaper and magazine, it will encroach on someone else’s seat space.
General Seating Tips
If you decide to put your chair down to snooze, do it slowly so as not to bump into the person behind you. If you really want to be respectful, turn around and offer some words of apology first, before putting your seat back.
When the meal is served, bring your seat to its upright position so the person behind you has room to eat. And do not put your seat back down until the meal trays have been collected.
When standing or sitting, do not grab the chair in front of you. If you do, once you let go that will snap the person’s head forward who is sitting or trying to sleep in that seat. Learn to stand and sit back down by placing your hands on the armrests (the only time they should really be used) and pushing yourself up or lowering yourself down.
Children
Children are a challenge on planes, especially long voyages. So keep in mind that your little bundle of joy may not seem as precious to others. Bring toys, games, and books to keep your child entertained. But not devices that are noisy. Those will bother the other passengers.
Kelly Degnan, an international lawyer who has been circling the globe for decades, would like to bring one subject to parents’ attention: “Make sure your child is not pounding or kicking the seat in front of them. If the tray table is down, make sure children do not on that as well, as it can be very annoying to the person sitting in front.”
Parents also need to be prepared for a change in cabin pressure, generally during landing, that can cause kids’ ears to hurt, possibly inducing a meltdown. Chewing gum helps eliminate the pressure. A more in-depth solution is to hold the air passages to your child’s nose closed then have them to blow into their mouth without exhaling. This will pop their ears and relieve the pressure. For an infant, bring a pacifier for them to suck on, or use a finger. That generally helps.
However, the most important thing to do, well before you get on a flight, is to teach your children about public and private voices and behavior. Any screams and tantrums in the confined space of an airplane will negatively impact everyone on board.
Cabin Crew
Last but certainly not least, the final rule of flying decorum is to always respect the cabin crew. They are not wait-staff dependent upon the passengers’ largesse; but are trained safety officials who we are legally obligated to obey. So please listen to and respect flight attendants.
By learning and following these simple rules of decorum, it is possible to make our flights and everyone else’s pleasant, relaxing, and enjoyable. Bon voyage.
Rules of the Air
1. Be aware.
2. Make sure your carry-on does not bump people as you pass.
3. Try not to put your hands on headrests as you walk down the aisle.
4. Be aware of other passengers’ appendages as you walk down the aisle.
5. Arm rests are guides, defining your seat space. They really should not to be used for anything else.
6. Window seats — try and lean towards the window.
7. Middle seats — sit up straight, do not lean to either side.
8. Aisle seats — try and lean towards the aisle.
9. Large people, please book your flights well in advance so that you do not end up in a middle seat.
10. If you are going to read a newspaper or magazine learn to do so while it is folded.
11. Put your seat back down slowly.
12. When a meal is served put your seat back up.
13. When standing or sitting, do not grab the seat in front of you for leverage.
14. Bring quiet items to entertain your child on board.
15. Make sure your child is not pounding or kicking the seat in front or the tray table.
16. Learn how to relieve the pressure in your child’s ear from a change in cabin pressure.
17. Teach your children about public and private voices and behavior before coming on board.
18. Always respect the cabin crew.
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